Bible Truth for Today & Christian Counseling for the Soul

Tag Archives: body

One 12 year old Michigan girl set herself on fire attempting the “Fire Challenge” she saw on Youtube. She burned over half her body and will need 3 more surgeries. She poured rubbing alcohol on herself and lit a match. This “challenge” phenomenon on social media is a dangerous trend that appeals to many young people and teens.

Other challenges include the “Hot Water Challenge” with kids being burned with boiling water. Participants either pour the boiling water on self, another person, or allow it to be poured on them. An attempt to see what level of pain tolerance one has? Perhaps. Dangerous and foolish no matter the reason why.

Kids are easily influenced for foolish things. Be careful of Who and What you allow to influence your kids. Avoid giving young person unmonitored access to the internet on ta phone or computer. It could turn our dangerous for them and for you. Have guidelines, expectations, and accountability in place. Like 1 Corinthians 15:33 teaches, Be not deceived: evil communications (Companions) corrupt good manners. If you want your child to turn out right, make sure you instill discernment for who influences your child as a friend, or companion. Even the internet companions hold tremendous influence.

Speaking of the Christian’s physical body, 2 Corinthians 6:16 says, And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

As Christians, our bodies and our lives belong to Jesus. His desire is that we care for our bodies. We are the temple of the living God and as such, our bodies are to be cared for and maintained to the glory of God.

What is the deal with setting self on fire? Here are several thoughts that may put this ridiculous activity in perspective.

Hell is full of fire.

Fire is indicative of judgment.

Satan wants people to go to Hell.

A demon possessed boy in the New Testament passage of Matthew 17:14-19 would constantly jump into a fire. Jesus rescues this boy.

And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

Could it be that “self-harm” is suggested by a demon? Is it possible that the “fire challenges” are demon inspired?

While Jesus is interested in life – Satan and his demons are interested in death and dying. When kids are tempted to play “Russian Roulette,” or get as close to drowning as possible, or have a self-induced near-death experience – are these forms of Satanic oppression or even possession? I believe it is very possible.

Should a Christian get a tattoo? Should we be concerned when someone gets some “ink?” To answer this, we must understand the origin of tattoos. Tattoos are nothing new and in fact we see tattoos in the Scripture.

According to a report by NPR, “Tattoos have become more common over the past couple of decades. A Harris poll in 2012 found that 1 out of every 5 adults — 21 percent — has at least one tattoo. An earlier Pew Research Center study found that the number was closer to 40 percent among those ages 18 to 29.”

With the incredible amount of people getting tattoos, you can see why there are so many of these little shops and mall counters offering tattoos. I saw one shop that sold engraved trophies for sports teams, etc. and they could also engrave your body in their tattoo parlor. How convenient is that?!

Right in the middle of God’s law recorded in Leviticus in between the prohibition for drinking blood, the prohibition for prostitution, and the ban on wizards and witches we find the following verse:

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. Leviticus 19:28

Keep in mind the Old Testament Law was multifaceted. Some Law related to civil government (most of which we continue to follow today), some related to worshiping God, and other parts were practical (like sanitation and diet laws). The Law was given to show how deficient and sinful humans are and to demonstrate how much we need the Lord. Jesus fulfilled the Law. While we do not obey the Law to earn the favor of God, these truths can cause for a more healthy and happy life. Thank God for grace!

The verse starts by prohibiting cutting the flesh. That practice was found in pagan religions. Think of Elijah (1 Kings 18) and the prophets of Baal who were cutting themselves to try to get their false god to answer them.

Apparently, the tattoos were also part of cult religious practices. Stars, leaves, flowers, and other images were inked or burned into those being initiated into the cult. The tattoos, like today, represented something.

Very simply, tattoos were connected with “dead people” and with cult practices in ancient times. They were used as identifying marks in groups and activities that were (and are) against the Lord.

Commentator Albert Barnes adds this insight: “The prohibition against marking the skin may involve either tattooing or painting the body as part of a religious ritual. Such markings may have been designed to protect a person from the spirits of the dead or to demonstrate membership in a group. Some evidence for this has been found in the examination of human remains in Scythian tombs dating to the sixth century b.c. The Israelite law may prohibit this practice since it involves a self-imposed alteration of God’s creation, unlike circumcision, which is commanded by God.”

Think of it this way: If a person spray painted a public library, were caught and charged; they would be charged with “defacing” a public building. They would not be congratulated for decorating the building. Our bodies are the temple of God and is to be wholly dedicated to Him. Marring or defacing the body is not something we want to do. Sin has already done a good job in changing mankind and our bodies – because of original sin and its consequences.

If you already have a tattoo, then use it as an example of God’s grace. When people see it, or you talk with others, make it a point to say “This is who I was, but now I belong to Jesus.” Use the “Before and After” approach of telling others of your Savoir. The “Old Man Vs. The New Man” is a great way to demonstrate the markedly different life the Lord has made in you.

Ask yourself these questions:

What will this tattoo identify me with?

What kind of statement will a tattoo make?

Will this help me look more likes Jesus in attitude, actions, or appearance?

Does this make me appear more like the world or less like the world?

Will this point people to Jesus or to something/someone else?

I do not believe that many readers of this article today would like to be associated with a cult or with occultist practices. Take care of your body – do not deface your body. We conclude with several verses and one key thought for your consideration.

1 Corinthians 6:8-20 says, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient (Helpful, beneficial): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

A military chaplain once told me a story of a teenager who enlisted. This recruit grew up in a conservative church like ours with parents who loved Jesus. One night he, with his new army buddies he went out on the town. He had never had a drop of alcohol in his life. They coaxed him into drinking. The next day, he woke up in a jail cell with a blood-stained shirt on. He had no memory of what happened. A fight had broken out in the bar and he stabbed a man – who later died. At the age of 19 he had a life sentence. He sobbed – “IF I had only listened to my parents, teachers and pastor.” One night. One choice. One drink led to a lifetime of sorrow. We make meaningful decisions each day.

All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12

The following stats are from NIAAA who monitor Alcohol consumption in America.

“Many young people drink alcohol…

By age 15, about 33 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.1

By age 18, about 60 percent of teens have had at least 1 drink.1

In 2015, 7.7 million young people ages 12–20 reported that they drank alcohol beyond “just a few sips” in the past month.

Youth ages 12 to 20 often binge drink…

People ages 12 through 20 drink 11 percent of all alcohol consumed in the United States.3 Although youth drink less often than adults do, when they do drink, they drink more. That is because young people consume more than 90 percent of their alcohol by binge drinking. Binge drinking is consuming many drinks on an occasion (see box). Drinking alcohol and binge drinking become more prevalent as young people get older.

1 million young people reported binge drinking (for males 5 or more drinks and for females 4 or more drinks on the same occasion within a few hours) at least once in the past month.2

3 million young people reported binge drinking on 5 or more days over the past month.”

The damage done to the brain and thinking processes of a person who is consuming alcohol cannot be denied. For reasons of pleasure, pain, or forgetting a problem, some people resort to drinking. While mainstream culture promotes and makes alcohol popular, the true issues it and other substance abuse cause is seldom told or not fully understood in stark reality. Broken homes, bruised bodies, car wrecks, and poor judgment are frequent and extremely common.

Many people I have counseled with who grew up in homes where alcohol ruled, decided against drinking alcohol themselves because of the first-hand problems they saw it create. Alcohol does not “cause for a good time” like some people say. It creates at atmosphere of foolishness and impaired judgment. People can have fun at parties and have a good time hanging out with friends because of the people they are with and the things they are doing together – not because of a mind changed under the power and effect of alcohol. To say: “I can’t have a good time without drinking” is one way of devaluing friendships. Alcohol is in control of a person who says things like that. Enjoy the moment with the people you love. Who wouldn’t want to remember “such a good time” to have good memories instead of foggy memories?

The Apostle Paul is teaching the Corinthian church that even if something is lawful – it does not mean it is good for me. Even if I can – does not mean that I should. Allowing your mind and body to be controlled by any substance or anything out side of the body is a form of addiction. Drugs, vaping, smoking, drinking alcohol, or any other addiction is not something that you want to be subject to. One drink later… you could be enslaved.

Parents – do all you can to help your teen not take their first drop of alcohol. Warn about the dangers. Teach the Bible admonitions. Adults, purpose with the Lord’s help to abstain from drinking. Your thoughts will be clearer, you will sin less, do less harm or evil than while “under the influence” and you will be better prepared for life because your mind is working more efficiently.

Consider in conclusion 2 of the many Bible passages giving ample warning:

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 23:31-35 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder (Snake). Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again.

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18

This sounds like medical advice, but it is also a practical reality of our humanity. As humans we tend to elevate your physical heads. Think of this for a moment. Our head (comprised of everything above our neck) is held high when we walk. We hold our head up above our body when we are seated. Even lying down in bed, we use a pillow to elevate our head above the rest of our body. Reasons for the head being above the body are practical and range from health, function, blood flow, balance, and protection of the head and brain.

With even greater care than our body places on holding up our physical head, we are to lift up the head of the Church. Jesus is the head of believers and must be elevated above individual Christians. Our thoughts, opinions, and goals must be subservient to the Lord. In a way, our thoughts, opinions and goals must be formed by Jesus rather than ourselves.

Our human nature screams and rebels at placing someone else above us in authority and power. Submitting to God and yielding to His Word and Holy Spirit is how we elevate Jesus above ourselves. We can take it personally and choose to rebel and side with our sin nature, or we can willingly submit with humility to the Lord.

When you find yourself in a conflict with a spouse, it could be that you are elevating yourself above what the Lord would have you do or say. When you are disappointed or even angry with someone or something at church, it could be that you are placing your will above the will of God. When the workplace seems troublesome, it could be that your expectations are not the expectations that the Lord has for your work.

Who is the head of your life? If you are making “all the calls” for your life, then you are missing the point of Colossians 1:18. Let Jesus have the Preeminence in your life. Because Jesus rose from the dead; He is worthy of being the head of our lives.

Jesus does not want to be an important part of your life. Jesus wants to be the preeminent part of your life- your head. Consult God’s Word. Pray. Seek counsel of your pastor. Place God above all your choices and lifestyle decisions. Follow the leader. When we lift up Jesus instead of ourselves, our lives then honor the Lord and He has room to work incredible miracles in our lives.